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THB**Marlin Factory Engraved Third Model 1892 Rifle Belonging To Wild West Show Sharpshooter T.H. Ford
Lot 492
About Seller
Cowan's Auctions
6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver, Cowan’s holds over 40 auctions each year, with annual sales exceeding $16M. We reach buyers around the globe, and take pride in our reputation for integrity, customer service and great results. A full-service house, Cowan’s Auctions specializes in Am...Read more
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$25,000 - $35,000
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About Auction
Live
By Cowan's Auctions
Apr 26, 2016 - Apr 28, 2016
Set Reminder
2016-04-26 10:00:00
2016-04-28 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Historic Firearms and Early Militaria, Day 1
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/historic-firearms-and-early-militaria-day-1-1389
Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
View Full Catalog (697)
- Lot Description
Model 1892 Marlin is factory engraved with extra coverage on the barrel and fore end cap. "B"-style checkering. Barrel and magazine retain most of the bright and vivid original blue finish. Round region of the half-round, half-octagonal portion of the barrel is hand-engraved, "Presented by Marlin Firearms Company." This type of presentation is unique to this firearm by the Marlin Firearms Company. Engraved frame with a panel scene of a squirrel eating a nut on the left side of frame. This firearm comes with a factory letter as well.
Thomas Morrow Pringle (1872-1942) was billed as "America's Greatest Fancy Quick and Trick Wing Rifle and Revolver Shot." He was born in Portage, Pennsylvania on September 28, 1782. He was the 7th of 11 children of William Pringle, Jr. (1832-1893) and his wife Margaret (1841-1920). The paternal Pringle family origins in Pennsylvania can be traced back in time to Thomas's great-great grandfather William (1745-1829) who immigrated from the fair isle of Scotland sometime after 1760 when he disappears from the record Scotland by 1790. William and his large family are found in Huntington, a small town in Pennsylvania. Phillip Pringle (1772-1841).
William's son, settled in the village of Portage, PA around 1795 when he established a homestead with his wife, Mary Cable. This homestead is now in the "Pringle Hill Cemetery" where most of the Pringle family gravesites can be found. The Pringle family prospered in the village of Portage. Several generations of the Pringle men owned and operated general merchandise emporium and Thomas M. Pringle's father William Jr. (1832-1893) was employed with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.
Thomas M. Pringle disappeared from the Portage area, around 1890 at age 17, after he allegedly stabbed another young man with a pen knife during an argument over a game of ball. He resurfaced in 1895 using T.H. Ford as his stage name with Beveridge's Montana Wildest West. He also appeared with Texas Jack's Wild West which toured from 1901-1905. Other shows included Buffalo Bill's Congress of Rough Riders and Pawnee Bill's Wild West.
Two quotations relating to T.H. Ford's good character are referenced in this archive. First, Captain A.H. Bogardus of Buffalo Bill's Congress of Rough Riders said of T.H. Ford, "He was a member of the Congress of Crack Shots with The Beveridge's Montana Wildest West season of 1895. He is sober and reliable. I cheerfully recommend him for any exhibition shooting." May 20, 1895.
Second, G.W. Lillie "Pawnee Bill," said "I have witnesses the rifle shooting done by T.H. Ford, and I have no hesitancy in saying it is first class and will interest and entertain as well as any act of the kind I have seen." September 15, 1896.
Thomas M. Pringle returned to Portage, PA after his father's death to help with the family business. He died October 30, 1942 and is buried in Pringle Hill Cemetery.
Archive comes with a signed affidavit from Lydia Harris, granddaughter of T.H. Ford, stating "My grandfather was a Sharpshooter with many Wild West Shows, including the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show. The Model 92 Winchester 32-20 smooth bore, serial 262395 and Marlin Model 92, .22 caliber, serial 123275 were his personal guns that he used in these exhibitions. His name was Thomas H. Pringle and his stage name was T.H. Ford. His residence was Portage, Pennsylvania."
Other items in the archive include related factory letters from the Marlin Firearms Company, The Winchester Repeating Fire Arms Company, a certificate to T.H. Ford from the Congress of Crack Shots, T.H. Ford personal envelope with picture and "America's Greatest Rifle and Revolver Shot" byline, two promotional cards for T.H. Ford addressed to "Fair Managers" from Ira Bloom, Mgr. Ebensburg Agricultural Society. Four cabinet cards: one from Stacy - 5th Avenue in Brooklyn, and three from Brownt Co. of College Hill/Valapariso, Ind . - all with Mr. Pringle staged in trick shooting poses. PLUS, two more contemporary black and white photographs. A typed letter of recommendation from the Johnstown Board of Trade dated "Sept 23, 1896" signed by General Manager N.F. Thompson praising Mr. T. M. Pringle's performance at the state fair. Archive further includes an inscribed letter from the Ebensburg Agricultural Society dated "Sept 22, 1896" addressed to T.M. Pringle attesting to the good show that he put on. Signed letter from A.H. Bogardus dated "May 20, 1895" putting in a good referral for T.H. Ford for shooting exhibitions. Plus, three brief newspaper accounts relating to T.H. Ford's shooting exhibitions. Authentic cabinet card by Pentz Swonds of York, PA of Pawnee Bill and an authentic cabinet card of Capt. A.H. Bogardus and Sons taken in New York.
Second volume includes: Cemetery records from Pringle Hill Cemetery in Summerhill Township located in Cambria County, Pennsylvania with picture of his Thomas M. Pringles tombstone. Ancestry printouts from Ancestry.com with genealogy charts and printouts related to the Pringle family forefathers. Some of the information in the second volume is duplicate information that can be found in the first binder.
Further included with this archive is a plaque for the Best Single Weapon Award from the Winchester Arms Collectors Association at the Reno, NV Western Show 2012. The back of the plaque is inscribed in black ink, Big Reno Show 11/15-18/2012 "One Tick '92". Winchester Model 1892 S#262395 DLX, 32-20 Smooth Bore, full silver Trick Shooter: T.H. Ford shipped: 4/29/05 order #7807.
**C&R or FFL RequiredModel 1892 Marlin frame retains most of the case coloring just turning dark. Stock and forearm are excellent with some nicks and dings.Condition
- Shipping Info
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SHIPPING. At the request of the buyer, Cowan's will authorize the shipment of purchased items. Shipments usually occur within two weeks after payment has been received. Shipment is generally made via UPS Ground service. Unless buyer gives special instructions, the shipping method shall be at the sole discretion of Cowan's Auctions, Inc.. Cowan's is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property.
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